CEO on social media
The students, faculty, staff and community residents of Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) in Wisconsin know all about their president, Anthony Cruz. They know he loves pickleball. He likes to eat out. He recently got…
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Community colleges as engines for economic development
For more than two decades, I’ve seen firsthand how community colleges change lives. I began my career as an adjunct sociology instructor at a large urban-suburban community college. Today, I serve as vice president for…
Washington Watch: Hope remains for workforce Pell
Editor’s note: This article was updated at 8 a.m. on June 30, 2025. The Senate parliamentarian has approved a modified version of workforce Pell provisions in the budget reconciliation bill that the Senate Budget Committee…
Lumina aims to help rural colleges reach adult learners
A new initiative spearheaded by Lumina Foundation aims to help rural and semi-rural community colleges reach and enroll more adult learners. Lumina is working with CollegeAPP and StrategyForward Advisors to help six selected colleges over…
Washington Watch: Workforce Pell dealt major blow in reconciliation bill
The Senate parliamentarian has determined that provisions in the Senate’s budget reconciliation bill that would establish workforce Pell grants do not comply with the rules governing the budget reconciliation process, according to material released by…
Persistence, retention drop among older students
While overall persistence and retention rates have remained relatively flat among community college students who entered in fall 2023, the rates for older learners show big drops, according to a new report from the National…
Washington Watch: House ed committee passes accreditation bill
The House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday approved legislation on accreditation that is, in part, designed to put into effect President Donald Trump’s executive order on accreditation. H.R. 4054, the Accreditation Choice and Innovation…
Preparing today for tomorrow
Nobody likes feeling stuck in their career, says Howard Spearman, president of Rock Valley College (Illinois). In fact, Spearman’s dedication to creating succession pathways at Rock Valley is directly shaped by his own experiences, he…
Maine’s free community college scholarship ends
Maine’s Free College Scholarship ends with the Class of 2025 graduates after state lawmakers declined to fund future graduating classes in the budget signed by the governor on Monday. The Free College Scholarship, which started…
Equity opportunities in middle-skills occupations
A workforce gap among middle-skills workers — those with certificates and associate degrees — can present an opportunity to diversify workers and provide a pathway to good-paying jobs in growing fields, according to a new…